10-03Reggae agenda meets king shiloh (Bredda neil) in Ethiopia

Blessed, Ones & ones came from all continents to rally round the red, gold & green.. all corners of creation… no matter what race or creed, like minded ones came together to celebrate in peace love & unity…… its our destiny… its about hearing the call, the call coming from the mountains of Zion…. and about heeding that call, and feeling a need to be part of this mystical movement…

Why is Ethiopia so special for You, the Shiloh Family and all Rastafarians?As Rastafarians we have always looked towards Afrika & in particular Ethiopia, it was always our focal point, our goal to reach Ethiopia… its the birth place of Emperor Haile Sellassie I, our inspiration & joy, our guiding star. By being there we can feel His presence, His guidance & His Love, its a recharging of the batteries, a strengthening of our faith. Yessss, Ethiopia is special, so special.

​What can you tell us about the spiritual place called Ethiopia?I would need to write a book bredrin, to even start to explain about this amazing country Ethiopia… its the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant & thus the place Jah Love to be, everywhere u go u experience a deep spirituality. From the northern cities of Lalibella & Axum, to the Simeon Mountains, down the kings highway to Shashemene, east to Harar & further fwd to Danakil or west thru Addis to South Sudan… it so incredible… Spirituality around every corner!​Then theres the unique balance of Faiths, equal amounts of Christains & Moslims living together in harmony, a lesson to the rest of the world, about acceptance & tolerance, overstanding. There is but one Jah, and many paths to reach him… who is a one to criticise a next one who choses a different path?​

Beautiful Ethiopia (Photo by Alice de Kruijs Photography)

​Playing in Ethiopia on Soundsystem must be a dream come true. This wasn’t your first session in Ethiopia, but it was the first one with Soundsystem. How was this experience for you?It was a blessing mi bredda! The culmination of 25 years of working hard towards a goal, never faltering or weakening on our mission, just beleiving whole-heartedly in what we do, being true to ourselves. It was such a joy to see elder rasses & Ethiopians alike skanking to tunes made 40 years ago on the island of Jamaica, tunes which inspired all of us to be what we are; Rastafarians. Tunes like Afrika from Dennis Brown, Addis Ababa from Willie Williams on Studio One, King of kings from Whayne Wade on Yabby U’s label, Conquering Lion… those foundation tunes deya!

You are involved organising this trip from day 1, it got cancelled once due to political issues but you stood your ground (together with Rastafari.travel) and made it happen. Where does your drive come from to share beautiful Ethiopia and bring people to the land of the father?Yes, from the Father, from Sellassie I, the manifestation of Jah on earth, He is our inpiration… it was never in doubt Iyah, from the first steps we set on the land we knew we had to share this amazing experience….. u know, Ethiopia has never been conquered… pause a second, think about that… not many countries can claim that in their history… it has such a powerfull effect on Ethiopians, theyre independant, industrious, joyous people… we love Ethiopia and have a duty to help others make their dream become a reality by helping them across the ‘bridge’. Its our Fathers land, were proud of it, and want others to appreci-love it too.

Working together on this dream with so many people from different countries must be very unique and intens. How did this workout and what can you tell us about the variety of people organising and visiting the festival and Ethiopia?Blessed, Ones & ones came from all continents to rally round the red, gold & green.. all corners of creation… no matter what race or creed, like minded ones came together to celebrate in peace love & unity…… its our destiny… its about hearing the call, the call coming from the mountains of Zion…. and about heeding that call, and feeling a need to be part of this mystical movement… I say heartical thnx to those who came, u all experienced something very unique, a part of our history as followers of H.I.M., something very special… & please dont forget, this is just the beginning…

​It took a lot of effort to make the sound play in Ethiopia, for example the sound got stuck at the airport in Addis Abeba. What can you tell us about that stressful situation?Its just Afrikan beurocracy bredrin, things dont work here like in Europe… u have to go thru the whole process… even with an NGO its diffcult, I have to say big respect to Joshua who spent days at the offices trying to free up the sound that we sent & the flat pack sound we built there….. in the end we got the sound 2 days before the festival in Lagano and ended up building 4 scoops in 1 day! But as we learn in Ethiopia, everything comes together in the end, thru the blessings of the Father!

​How did the Shashamane community react to the sessions, the Soundsystem and especially the dub style of course? Were theyre open for it then the first time ?Brother it was such a blessing to have the community rally round the new sound, everyone was happy, & full of joy, it was a big thing for all of us, a celebration… of course there are good sounds in Shash, like Dragon Slayer, Quadamawee & Kings Highway, but the community know them… thats the dfference, we came with a breath of fresh musical air, because were at the cutting edge of whats happening at this time in Europe… A Shiloh session covers the whole spectrum of roots music from foundation to brand new… but yes them did a love it, all styles, Jah know! We give thanks and Praise, always.

Ras Kenny (Trinidad & Tobago) living in Ethiopa for 13 years now (Alice de Kruijs Photography)

Julian (Ital Chef Cook) for the trip. Living in Shashamane. Former driver for Bob Marley en Peter Tosh. (Alice de Kruijs Photography)

You played in Addis Ababa, Shashamane and Lake Langano (The Great Ethiopian Soundsystem Festival). Which session was the most special for you and why?They were all special for thier own reasons… Addis because it was the first one & the first time we saw Ethiopians skanking wildly! Shahamane because it was Shash & the whole comminuity came out & loved the vibes.. then the festival, so so special, I cant say more than that… there was a moment when Teddy Dan, Afrikan Simba, Sidney Solomon & Ras Quintaseb were juggling the mic in Langano… that was very very special, something I will never forget… real inspiration!

​After Ethiopie you travelled to Kenya. Can you tell us something about the different vibes in the 2 countries? Was there a difference ?Yes I, Kenya is different to Ethiopia. Its the next country south but felt like worlds apart. I was struggling to find the same spirituality like in Ethiopia, the Rasta connection… but then again it was my first time there, so diffucult to comment… Nairobi was a joy, spending time with a great crew Umoja Sound, then fwd to the coast as musical missionaries… i would love to go again without going first to Ethiopia, it was a step too far in many ways to do both in one trod… but bless, its definately on the agenda for a return trip!

You released an E.P. together with King Kong called ‘The Ethiopian Dream’.Did your ‘dream’ come true?Yes I, the first part of the dream is now a reality, now fwd to the next chapter!

We witnessed some proper and very talented (African/Jamaican) MC’s joining the sessions. Any new musical projects coming up?​For sure mi bredda, so much vibes & inspiration there, how can we not get involved? Its just part of Jah Plan!

Bobo Shanti Camp, Shashamane, Ethiopia (Alice de Kruijs Photography)

What about your future plans for Ethiopia/Africa ?Its fwd ever bwd never, by getting an 8 scoop sound in Ethiopia, partly built there, partly built here, it such an achievement, we have to expand on that now… so were fwd bredrin, planning for the next visit, probably in September.

Why should people come and join the next Rastafari Travel Tour (and Festival)?To feel the joy of Ethiopia, to be touched by the sprituality of the people, to feel Afrika in all its glory, mother of creation! To hear the new Negus Shiloh sound playing the Kings’ music in the land of our Father. Rastafari! Give thanks & Praise….